BY NEWS DESK, FEBRUARY 22, 2026 | 04:59 PM
It was a day of joy and supplication at Thinklab Estate, Bakassi GRA, Maiduguri, on Sunday, the 6th day of Ramadan 1446AH, as the Thinklab Charity Foundation, the charity arm of Thinklab Group Limited, flagged off the distribution of Ramadan food packages and cash palliatives to 1,000 vulnerable households in the state capital.
What started as a planned distribution of food items worth millions of naira took a dramatic turn when the Chairman of Thinklab Group Limited, Dr. Sa'id Alkali Kori, moved by the large turnout of beneficiaries, immediately approved an additional N20 million cash palliatives for distribution to every household that attended the occasion.
The total value of items and cash distributed at the event has now surpassed N70 million.
Crowd turns to tears, prayers
Thousands of beneficiaries, including elderly women, widows, orphans and persons with disabilities, had gathered at the Thinklab Estate since morning in anticipation of the distribution.
After receiving food packages containing essential Ramadan staples, many were called back to also receive cash gifts following the Chairman's directive. The atmosphere changed from orderly collection to emotional outbursts, with many beneficiaries weeping and raising their hands in prayer for Dr. Kori and the foundation.
An elderly woman who simply identified herself as Hajja Falmata Ali was seen wiping tears as she clutched her food pack and cash gift.
"Wallahi, I did not expect this. I came for food, but I am leaving with food and money. May Allah accept this from them and reward them with Jannah," she told Yerwa Express News.
Another beneficiary, Modu Bukar, a father of five, said: "This is the Ramadan I will never forget. Not because of the help alone, but because someone saw our condition and responded immediately."
How the additional N20m happened
Sources close to the event revealed that Dr. Kori, observing the massive crowd from a vantage point, turned to his team and gave a simple but powerful instruction: "These are our people. They came trusting that we would help them. We cannot send anyone away empty-handed in Ramadan."
Within minutes, the foundation's logistics team, led by Director of Logistics Abubakar Habulle Usman and Director of Operations Jibrin Sarki, mobilised to ensure seamless cash distribution alongside the already distributed food packages.
Who was there
The event witnessed the presence of top management of Thinklab Group, including the Managing Director, Dr. Babagana Mohammed Adam; the Project Director, Dr. Abba Damuna; and the Project Manager, Dr. Mustapha Gambomi.
Leading the foundation's efforts on ground was the Director General of Thinklab Charity Foundation, Hajiya Amina Alkali Kori, who worked tirelessly alongside volunteers to ensure the smooth execution of both the planned distribution and the emergency cash intervention.
Government collaboration
The initiative was executed in collaboration with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA), under the leadership of its Director General, Alh. Ali Abdullahi. The agency's facilitation ensured that the intervention reached the most vulnerable households in line with the humanitarian vision of His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, mni, the Executive Governor of Borno State, under whose leadership and blessings the programme operates.
Prayers for leaders
As the distribution wound down, beneficiaries spontaneously organised prayer sessions. Prayers were offered for the continued success of Thinklab Group, for strength for BOSEMA, for long life and wisdom for Governor Zulum, and for lasting peace to return to Borno State.
One beneficiary was heard saying: "May Allah accept this as Sadaqah Jariyah. We pray for the Chairman, we pray for the company, we pray for SEMA, we pray for our Governor, and we pray for Borno State."
Background
Dr. Sa'id Alkali Kori, Chairman of Thinklab Group Limited, is a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist with a Doctorate from the University of Liverpool. He has previously demonstrated commitment to humanitarian causes, including a N30 million donation to Borno State Government for flood disaster relief.
The Thinklab Charity Foundation remains the charity arm of Thinklab Group Limited, dedicated to institutionalising corporate social responsibility and community development.
Ramadan continues
As the sun set over Maiduguri on this 6th day of Ramadan, thousands of households returned to their homes with their burdens significantly lightened. The Thinklab Estate, which had hosted an ocean of humanity, fell quiet once more. But the echoes of prayers and the memory of a Chairman who gave without counting will linger long after the food is consumed and the cash is spent.
In this holy month when rewards for charity are multiplied, the people of Borno have witnessed firsthand that every act of charity is indeed a Sadaqah.
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